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Ultimate Interview Guide (Part III): 3 Ways to Follow Up After an Interview

Post-interview etiquette is just as important as your behavior during the interview. Not to mention, the hiring process isn’t over yet. Nearly half (48%) of recruiters said they usually conduct three interviews per candidate (MRI Network). No matter what stage you are at, finish the game strong by following these steps:

1. Send a thank you card.

Most candidates will send a thank you, so being the only one who doesn’t makes you seem uncaring. Stay in the forefront of your interviewer’s mind with a quick thank you card or email.

Here is a template you can work with.

Hello [Interviewer],

Thank you for taking time to meet with me today. It was such a pleasure to learn more about the team and position. Our conversation confirmed my interest in becoming part of [Company Name].

I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the hiring process. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional information.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Send this within twenty-four hours.

2. Prepare for the next round.

Remember that you can expect around three interviews. This can seem exhausting, but remember that it will all be worth it in the end (even if you don’t get the job, it’s still excellent practice that puts you one step closer to your dream job).

As you wait to hear back, start preparing for the next round. Your interviewer will likely give you a general timeline so that you know when you’ll hear back from them and what kind of interview is next. You might need to prepare to meet the team, a hiring manager, or the CEO.

3. Think “pleasantly persistent.”

So, it’s been a couple of days, maybe even a week, and you still haven’t heard back. How do you contact the hiring manager without coming off as demanding or annoying?

Companies can usually take a while to come to a decision. They might have a series of interviews scheduled over several weeks, meaning they might not contact you until they’ve met all the candidates. Hiring decisions might also need to go through a series of approvals before moving forward.

However, if it has been several weeks, it’s okay to reach out via phone or email. Think “pleasantly persistent.” A simple paragraph asking for updates in a friendly tone should be enough.

Hello [Interviewer],

I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to check in about the [job] position. It was great to meet you last week and talk about all the opportunities [Company Name] has to offer. Please let me know if there are any updates regarding the position.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Note: You’ll have a clearer idea of when it’s appropriate to send a follow-up email if you ask about the timeline before leaving the interview.

Next Steps

So, you’ve gone through the application, the first interview, and any subsequent interviews. And you’ve got that long-awaited job offer! What now?

You don’t need to accept a job just because they gave you an offer. There are several things to consider before accepting a new position, including salary, benefits, commute, opportunity for growth, and workplace culture. For more help, check out our top things to consider when considering a job offer.